Pakistan

2010 Tables

About these tables »

Information in these tables is drawn
from the report Tax Co-operation 2010: Towards a Level Playing Field and
is current as of June 30th 2010. Any subsequent changes in a jurisdiction's
legal and regulatory framework will be reflected in the Phase 1 or Combined
Peer Review Report published by the Global Forum.

Table A - Relationships providing for information exchange to the standard

Table A sets out the numbers of jurisdictions with which the jurisdiction identified in column 1 has a double tax convention (DTC) or tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) to the standard. It further distinguishes between signed DTCs and TIEAs and those in force. The reference to the standard refers to the internationally agreed tax standard, which requires exchange of information on request in all tax matters for the administration and enforcement of domestic tax law without regard to a domestic tax interest requirement or bank secrecy for tax purposes. It also provides for extensive safeguards to protect the confidentiality of the information exchanged.

The figures in this table are based on responses to a questionnaire which all jurisdictions were requested to complete. An in-depth analysis of these agreements has not been undertaken, and will only be completed once a jurisdiction undergoes a peer review.

Explanation of columns 2 through 7

Columns 2 and 5 show the number of DTCs that provide for information exchange upon request to the standard, with other jurisdictions. They include both multilateral and bilateral agreements, for example the CARICOM agreements. Multilateral agreements are counted as a series of bilateral agreements.

Columns 3 and 6 show the number of TIEAs that provide for information exchange upon request to the standard, with other jurisdictions. They include both multilateral and bilateral agreements, for example the joint Council of Europe/OECD Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, or the Nordic Convention on Mutual Assistance.

Where more than one type of relationship is in place (e.g. the relevant jurisdiction have concluded both a DTC and a TIEA), only one of these agreements is counted. Thus, Table A measures the number of relationships rather than the number of agreements.

Note that some jurisdictions have mechanisms in their domestic law which provide for the exchange of information for tax purposes, and these mechanisms are not included in the table. For example, domestic laws giving effect to the EU Mutual Assistance Directive (Council Directive 77/799/EEC of 19 December 1977).

Table B.1 - Bank secrecy

Table B.1 shows the basis for bank secrecy for all of the jurisdictions reviewed.

Explanation of columns 2 through 4

Column 2 shows whether the basis for bank secrecy arises purely out of the relationship between the bank and its customer (e.g. contract, privacy, common law).

Column 3 shows whether bank secrecy is reinforced by statute.

Column 4 shows, where bank secrecy is reinforced by statute, whether the statutory provisions are limited to particular customers or market segments. Note that in some jurisdictions there are separate laws providing for secrecy in domestic and international banking business. The entry in column 4 in these cases is "No" provided the level of banking confidentiality is similar.

Table C.1 - Information gathering powers

This table gives an overview of the information-gathering powers available to the authorities in each jurisdiction to obtain information in response to a request for exchange of information for tax purposes.

Explanation of columns 2 through 6

Column 2 shows whether a jurisdiction has powers to obtain information required to be kept by a person subject to record keeping obligations (e.g. as a taxpayer). The column is divided into two sub-columns that show whether a jurisdiction can obtain information in connection with a request for information in civil and criminal tax matters respectively.

Column 3 shows whether a jurisdiction has powers to obtain information from persons not required to keep such information. The column is divided into two sub-columns that show whether jurisdictions can obtain information in connection with a request for information in civil and criminal tax matters respectively.

Column 4 indicates if powers may only be used if the jurisdiction has an interest in the information for its own tax purposes (domestic tax interest).

Column 5 indicates whether a jurisdiction has measures in place to compel production of information.

Table C.2 - Statutory confidentiality or secrecy provisions

Table C.2 shows whether each jurisdiction has specific confidentiality or secrecy provisions relating to the disclosure of ownership, identity or accounting information. Where such provisions exist, the table notes whether the provisions are of a general or a specific nature and whether they are overridden if a request is made pursuant to an "EOI arrangement." An "EOI arrangement" includes any mechanism that permits information exchange for tax purposes with another jurisdiction (e.g. a DTC, MLAT, domestic law on mutual assistance in criminal matters).

Explanation of columns 2 through 6

Column 3 indicates, if the answer in column 2 is yes, whether those provisions apply generally in the country or are limited to specific entities (e.g. foundations) or sectors (e.g. banking or insurance).

Column 4 indicates whether the statutory confidentiality or secrecy provisions can be overridden if a request for information is made pursuant to an exchange of information arrangement.

Column 5 briefly outlines, where the answer in column 4 is yes, in what circumstances the secrecy or confidentiality provisions may be overridden.

Column 5 outlines, where applicable, the measures adopted to identify owners of bearer debt. The measures listed include both specific mechanisms, such as immobilisation procedures, ensuring that the owner is known in all cases as well as applicable anti-money laundering rules imposing a requirement on service providers in the financial sector to perform customer due diligence.

Table D.1 - Ownership information: companies

Table D.1 shows the type of ownership information required to be held by governmental authorities, at the company level and by service providers, including banks, corporate service providers and other persons.

Explanation of columns 2 through 5

Column 2 shows the type of ownership information required to be held by governmental authorities. The term "governmental authority" includes corporate registries, regulatory authorities, tax authorities and authorities to which publicly traded companies report.

Column 3 shows the type of ownership information required to be held at the company level. Ownership information required to be kept at the company level would normally be held in a shareholder register.

Column 4 shows the type of ownership information required to be held by service providers, including banks, corporate service providers and other persons. The requirement on service providers managing or providing services to a company to keep identity information typically arises under either specific laws regulating the corporate service provider business or under applicable anti-money laundering laws or under both.

Column 5 provides any additional and explanatory comments.

Note that the table makes a distinction between requirements to report or keep legal and beneficial ownership. Legal ownership refers to the registered owner of the share, which may be an individual, but also a nominee, a trust or a company, etc. Beneficial ownership reporting requirements refers to a range of reporting requirements that require further information when the legal owner is not also the beneficial owner.

Where a company may issue bearer shares, thereby limiting the requirement to report or keep ownership information, this is mentioned in the table.

Table D.3 - Identity information: Trusts

Table D.3 shows the type of identity information required to be held for trusts by governmental authorities, resident trustee of a domestic trust, resident trustee of a foreign trust and service providers, including banks, trust service providers and other persons.

Explanation of columns 2 through 6

Column 2 shows the type of identity information (settlors and beneficiaries) required to be held by governmental authorities. The term "governmental authority" includes trust registries, regulatory authorities and tax authorities.

Column 3 and 4 show the type of identity information (settlors and beneficiaries) required to be held by the resident trustee of a domestic trust, or the resident trustee of a foreign trust. These columns refer to trustees providing trustee services on a non-commercialbasis. Requirements on such resident trustees to keep identity information would normally arise under either applicable trust law or under anti-money laundering legislation covering trustees generally.

Column 5 shows the type of identity information (settlors and beneficiaries) required to be held by service providers, including banks, trust service providers and other persons. The requirement on professional service providers to keep identity information typically arises under either specific laws regulating the business of managing trusts or under applicable anti-money laundering laws or under both.

Table D.4 - Identity information: Partnerships

Table D.4 shows the type of identity information required to be held for partnerships by governmental authorities, at the partnership level and by service providers, including banks, corporate service providers and other persons.

Explanation of columns 2 through 5

Column 2 shows the type of identity information required to be held by governmental authorities. The term "governmental authority" includes registries, regulatory authorities and tax authorities.

Column 3 shows the type of identity information required to be held at the partnership level.

Column 4 shows the type of identity information required to be held by service providers, including banks, corporate service providers and other persons. The requirement on service providers managing or providing services to a partnership to keep identity information typically arises under either specific laws regulating the service provider business or under applicable anti-money laundering laws or under both.

Table D.5 - Identity information: Foundations

Table D.5 shows the type of identity information (founders, beneficiaries and members of foundation council) required to be held for foundations by governmental authorities, at the foundation level and by service providers, including banks, corporate service providers and other persons.

Explanation of columns 2 through 5

Column 2 shows the type of identity information required to be held by governmental authorities. The term "governmental authority" includes foundation registries, regulatory authorities and tax authorities.

Column 3 shows the type of identity information required to be held at the foundation level.

Column 4 shows the type of identity information required to be held by service providers, including banks, corporate service providers and other persons. The requirement on service providers managing or providing services to a foundation to keep identity information typically arises under either specific laws regulating the corporate service provider business or under applicable anti-money laundering laws or under both.

Table D.6 - Accounting information: Companies

This table shows for each jurisdiction the legal requirements relating to the nature of the accounting records that must be created and retained, specific requirements with respect to their auditing and lodgement with a governmental authority and the rules regarding the retention of the records.

Explanation of columns 2 through 7

Column 2 shows whether there is a specific requirement to keep accounting records. Where company directors have discretion as to the nature and extent of the accounting records that must be kept this has been categorised as not having a requirement to keep accounting records.

Column 3 shows the extent to which jurisdictions require accounting records to meet the standards as set out in the JAHGA paper, "Enabling Effective Exchange of Information: Availability Standard and Reliability Standard" (see Annex III of the Report). In this column the following code has been used:

a for "correctly explain the company's transactions",

b for "enable the company's position to be determined with reasonable accuracy at any time",

c for "allow financial statements to be prepared" and

d for "include underlying documentation such as invoices, contracts, etc".